Patriots week: Lots of challenges for Packers, why not add the weather?

Green Bay – “This is going to be a week where we have to find out a little bit about ourselves,” said offensive coordinator Joe Philbin. “Find out what we’re all about, staff wise, offensive wise - it’s a big week for us.”

It will be interesting to see what the Packers do with their run game and if they use it to try to attack the Patriots. Green Bay had five negative runs at Detroit last week and it affected what they were willing to call on that final drive of the game. After an 8-yard completion from Matt Flynn to Andrew Quarless, a run out of the shotgun by Brandon Jackson on second down went nowhere. Flynn passed on the final downs but couldn't convert and lost.

“We would have felt better about calling another run if we would have had a little better success on the 2nd and 2,” said Philbin. “That was particularly frustrating. They have a good scheme, they played it well. The line up their ends real real wide. It’s tough to get the ball in the perimeter on those guys. We were running some inside zone plays, some draw plays.

“But when you have five negative runs, four sacks, two penalties, I mean, you’re banging your head against a wall. You’re going backwards. I mean, it’s hard enough to get a first down. I think it’s tough to stick with the run game when you get five negative runs in a ball game.

The offensive line played poorly. The Packers gave up four sacks against the Lions, two to Aaron Rodgers and two to Flynn. Rodgers was also sacked four times against San Francisco - not exactly an alarming number, especially since the Packers and Rodgers had clearly improved in this area since 2009, when they led the NFL with 50 regular season sacks, but it’s higher than normal.

And the run game was even worse. Green Bay’s trio of running backs totaled just 31 yards rushing. Their collective average per carry was 2.1 yards.

~ The Packers lost in embarrassing fashion, 7-3, Sunday at Detroit.

But you couldn’t find a more relaxed group of guys in the locker room three days later. Players were joking, laughing and approachable as usual. Other than Donald Driver mentioning that Flynn “beat himself up” over the red zone interception, these are the typical, confident Packers.

Even the easy going, cool Tramon Williams laughed with mild annoyance when asked yet another question about how good New England quarterback Tom Brady is playing.

“We just have to go against him. He’s on the schedule. You can’t dodge it!” he said.

These Packers don’t really see themselves as the underdog even when they are.

“You say we’re the underdog for this game. I guess that’s true. Their offensive line is good," said defensive lineman Jarius Wynn. "Brady is great. We’re going to take it as the hand we’re dealt and play hard. We’re going to go out and try to dominate and do what we’re taught.”

~ The Patriots have outscored their opponents 81-10 in the last two games. Running back BenJarvis Green-Ellis hasn't fumbled in 192 touches. In the last five games, Brady has a 72% completion mark and an astronomical 132.5 passer rating. His last interception was nine games ago. The Patriots are averaging 31.9 points per game, the exact average of the 2009 Super Bowl champions, New Orleans.

What's left to do?

“I know what you mean, try to generate turnovers,” said linebacker Desmond Bishop. “But the idea is based on the individual and certain situations. It’s like a calculated gamble and that’s something we do every game. I don’t think it’s this game in particular. If you have a certain opportunity on a play, we always go for it.”

“I feel like we go for it every week. We practice every week, stripping the ball,” said Wynn.

“Uh, don’t tell me that,” said cornerback and kick returner Sam Shields. “I guess we’ve got to go out there and play it. It’s my job. But why did you have to tell me that?”

The weather certainly did not affect the Patriots last week in Chicago.

“I got cold just watching that on tape, watching the wind blow around,” said defensive coordinator Dom Capers. “It’s pretty amazing what he can do in those conditions.”

At first, it looked like it might rain and snow. “I hope snow,” said Jones. He was reminded that the Patriots play very well in rotten weather. "Well we’ve got to end it! The team who plays the best will win. We’ve played in snow before too. That’s a good thing about being out here.”

“I think we adjust well to the cold because even if we’re not practicing outside here, we’re in it all the time,” said long snapper Brett Goode. “Whether it is just walking to the car, your body adjusts to it more quickly.”